Civil servants asked to keep political influence out

By GYNNIE KERO
CIVIL servants should strive to follow proper procedures instead of being easily swayed by politicians, Inter-Government Relations Minister Pila Niningi says.
He said public servants had to respect each other and the system in order for “jobs to be carried out properly”.
Addressing staff and different agencies under his ministry yesterday, Niningi said: “We (public servants) must follow and respect protocols in the Government system, the positions we hold are delicate.
“For example, the special purposes authority, a lot of money is involved.
“We have to do things right. If you don’t do things right, you will have to go.
“I’m just a Minister, without you I cannot survive.
“We have a great task ahead of us.” After he was sworn in recently as the minister, Niningi questioned why administrators and governors flocked into urban settings and lived in hotels.
“What do the administrators do? For example, Kerema,” he questioned.
“Who is monitoring? “Who’s paying for their hotel bills?
“Are they paying or people are paying?
“We have a duty to ensure the administrative system has to function, people have to work.”
He said he was keen to see the local level government elections remained on schedule.
“I want to see all wards have councillors,” Niningi told The National.
A formal handover ceremony between the former Inter-Government Relations Minister Kevin Isifu and Niningi is expected at a later date.